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How an Engineer Fell in Love with Consulting


I am an engineer by trade. I have an industrial engineering degree from the University of Toronto and MBA from the Ivey Business School. I gravitated towards engineering because of my interest in math and science, picking industrial engineering for its focus on optimization and human interaction with machines. However, through volunteering and internships, I realized that consulting was the right fit for me; it enables me to solve complex problems for companies across a variety of industries and topic areas. Now, my friends and family are quick to tell me I’m also a consultant, through and through, and they’re certainly right.

Having conducted my own tour of consulting companies over the course of my career, I can confidently say that BCG feels like home. The people are real and eager to mentor, there is an abundance of opportunity to explore your own interests, and there is a strong firm culture that supports your personal growth and development. Plus, I’m able to merge my engineering background with my knack for navigating organizations to find the right solutions for them.
 

Why Consulting?


I’m someone who loves feeling challenged, and consulting offers many intriguing, layered challenges for me to solve. Our clients ask us to tackle their thorniest business problems. We work alongside the most senior people in the organization to recommend solutions that have a tangible business impact—I find the whole process so exciting.

BCG offers the opportunity to work across a variety of industry sectors, too. This broad exposure is important as I believe innovation can largely be derived through cross-pollination of ideas from one context to another. What really sets BCG apart for me, though, is the culture. I’ve befriended some brilliant people in our organization, and there are multiple individuals that have become my mentors in a professional and personal way.


A Typical Day as a Consultant


In consulting, there is rarely a typical day given how dynamic the work is; however, some elements are the same. I usually start the day in a huddle with my BCG team to discuss the “answer” to our client’s challenges, sharing both my insights and learning about my teammates’ findings so we can piece together the puzzle.

We then split up and I continue to lead the charge for my work stream. This involves analyzing data, deriving insights, and communicating complex concepts in an easy-to-understand manner. I do this side-by-side with my client to ensure we leverage our combined knowledge to develop the best solution and there is sustained ownership following BCG’s involvement.


My Most Memorable Experience


When I first joined BCG, I was working directly with senior-level clients to develop strong relationships. It was amazing to see my contributions were so valued and encouraged, right from the start and regardless of my title. But my most rewarding experience was working with the founder and CEO of an NGO in Botswana that delivers education to disadvantaged youth.

I had a short four weeks to develop an expansion strategy into neighboring countries. By asking targeted questions, I was able to quickly understand the business model, identify high-potential markets, and develop an implementation plan. The client was happy with my proposal, and I felt I made a really meaningful impact in a part of the world I never thought I would visit.

Consulting can be both demanding and difficult, so it’s valuable to give the career a test drive to prove both to yourself and your future employer that it is the right fit. A great way to get this first experience is through volunteer work. Whether volunteering locally or globally, my experiences have been rewarding both personally and professionally, and I think mirror the experience of consulting in many aspects. You dedicate your time and expertise to advise and help the cause or the organization improve.

I encourage anyone with a propensity for solving problems and the desire to make an impact on the world to consider consulting. 

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  • Consulting
AUTHORSapna Mehta (she/her) designation Partner

About author: Toronto, Canada

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